Oilers Stun Panthers in Game 1 OT Thriller

The ice was electric at Rogers Place on June 4, 2025, as the Edmonton Oilers clashed with the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final—a rematch fans have been craving since last year’s epic seven-game showdown. The Oilers, fueled by a roaring home crowd, battled back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a heart-pounding 4-3 overtime victory, with Leon Draisaitl delivering the dagger on a power-play strike with just 31 seconds left in OT. This isn’t just hockey—it’s a war of wills, and Edmonton drew first blood!

Lightning Strikes Early

The puck dropped at 8 p.m. ET, and Edmonton wasted no time. Just 66 seconds in, Leon Draisaitl fired a rocket past Panthers’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, igniting the Rogers Place faithful. The Oilers’ captain, Connor McDavid, fed a slick pass to Draisaitl, who buried it for a 1-0 lead. “ONE MINUTE INTO GAME 1 AND LEON DRAISAITL HAS EDMONTON ON THE BOARD!” screamed a post from @theScore on X, capturing the frenzy.

But Florida, the defending champs, didn’t flinch. Known for their relentless forecheck and physicality, the Panthers stormed back. Sam Bennett, a playoff beast with a franchise-record 12 goals this postseason, deflected a shot off an Oilers skate to tie it at 1-1. Moments later, a failed Edmonton coach’s challenge for goalie interference backfired, handing Florida a power play. Bennett capitalized again, wiring a perfect shot past Stuart Skinner on a 2-on-1 break with Carter Verhaeghe. By the end of the first period, despite Edmonton dominating shots 15-7, Florida led 2-1. The Panthers’ knack for capitalizing on mistakes was on full display, as ESPN noted their “ability to turn defense into offense.”

Panthers Pounce, Oilers Claw Back

Early in the second, Florida extended their lead to 3-1. Bennett struck again, this time off a crisp breakout pass from Nate Schmidt, roofing a shot past Skinner’s blocker. The Panthers were rolling, their forecheck suffocating Edmonton’s defense. Fans on X groaned, with one posting, “Florida’s too heavy, too fast. Oilers look lost.”

But Edmonton, battle-tested after rallying from deficits in earlier rounds, refused to fold. Viktor Arvidsson answered back, ripping a slap shot from the point that snuck under Bobrovsky’s arm, cutting the lead to 3-2. A flash screen by Vasily Podkolzin threw off Florida’s netminder, who later admitted, “I should’ve had that one,” per NHL.com. The Oilers’ depth was shining, with Arvidsson’s goal proving they weren’t just leaning on stars like McDavid and Draisaitl.

The third period was a slugfest. Mattias Ekholm, back from a season-threatening injury, tied it at 3-3 with a laser off a McDavid feed at 6:33. “MATTIAS EKHOLM HAS HIS FIRST OF THE PLAYOFFS!!” Sportsnet tweeted, as fans erupted. Edmonton’s comeback was complete, but Florida’s defense tightened, with Bobrovsky making 42 saves, including a sprawling stop on Evan Bouchard in overtime. The Panthers’ goalie was a wall, becoming the third netminder in a decade to hit 40 saves in a Final game, per NHL.com.

Overtime Heroics: Draisaitl Delivers

As the game spilled into overtime—the first Game 1 OT since 2022—the tension was palpable. Both teams traded chances, with Florida’s Evan Rodrigues testing Skinner and Edmonton’s Kasperi Kapanen hitting the post on a breakaway. Then, with 1:43 left, Florida’s Tomas Nosek took a costly delay-of-game penalty, flipping the puck over the glass. Edmonton’s lethal power play, led by McDavid and Draisaitl, smelled blood.

With 31 seconds left in OT, McDavid sauced a perfect pass to Draisaitl, who rifled a shot past Bobrovsky for the 4-3 win. Rogers Place exploded, and @EdmontonOilers tweeted, “Leon Draisaitl scored the OT winner… to give the #Oilers a 1-0 series lead!” Draisaitl’s third OT goal of the 2025 playoffs tied an NHL record, matching legends like Maurice Richard and Corey Perry.

Game Changer: Key Moments That Defined Game 1

• Draisaitl’s Early Strike: Scoring just 66 seconds in, Draisaitl set the tone, showcasing Edmonton’s explosive offense. His four hits added a physical edge, earning him the Atturo Tires Player of the Game nod.

• Bennett’s Record-Breaking Night: Sam Bennett’s two goals gave him 12 for the postseason, a Panthers record. His ability to exploit Edmonton’s mistakes kept Florida in control early.

• Ekholm’s Comeback Goal: Mattias Ekholm’s tying goal in the third, assisted by McDavid, was a momentum-shifter. His return from injury was a game-changer, as Coach Kris Knoblauch noted, “We don’t win without him.”

• Bobrovsky’s Heroics: Despite the loss, Sergei Bobrovsky’s 42 saves, including nine in OT, kept Florida alive. His .912 save percentage this postseason remains elite.

• Oilers’ Power-Play Dagger: Draisaitl’s OT winner on the power play, Edmonton’s first in four tries, exposed Florida’s rare lapse. The Panthers’ penalty kill, usually stellar at 87.9%, faltered at the worst moment.

Head-to-Head History: A Rivalry Rekindled

This 2025 Final is the 12th Stanley Cup rematch in NHL history and the first back-to-back rematch since 2008-09. Last year, in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, Florida edged Edmonton 4-3 in a grueling seven-game series. The Panthers jumped to a 3-0 lead, only for the Oilers to storm back with three straight wins, forcing a Game 7 that Florida sealed 2-1 at home. “The Panthers held off a furious Oilers comeback,” The Athletic noted, highlighting Edmonton’s resilience.

In their December 2024 regular-season clash, Florida dominated Edmonton 6-3, with Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov leading the charge, per ESPN. But Edmonton’s home-ice advantage in 2025—where they’re 6-1 in the playoffs, flips the script. The Oilers’ 146 high-danger shots this postseason dwarf Florida’s 123, signaling their offensive edge. Yet, Florida’s 39 high-danger goals and 31.7% shooting percentage show their lethal efficiency.

Stars in the Spotlight

• Leon Draisaitl: With two goals in Game 1, including the OT winner, Draisaitl’s 25 playoff points (7 goals, 18 assists) trail only McDavid. His clutch play echoes Wayne Gretzky’s 1984 heroics in a similar rematch.

• Connor McDavid: The Oilers’ captain had two assists, including the setup for Draisaitl’s winner. His 26 playoff points (6 goals, 20 assists) lead the NHL, and his 23.92 mph skating bursts terrorize defenses.

• Sam Bennett: Florida’s goal-scoring leader with 12 tallies, Bennett’s physicality (812 team hits, tops in the playoffs) and scoring touch make him a constant threat.

• Sergei Bobrovsky: Despite the loss, Bobrovsky’s 42 saves underscored his “Playoff Bob” reputation. His 1.57 GAA and .935 save percentage over Florida’s last 10 games are daunting.

• Matthew Tkachuk: Florida’s agitator had a quiet Game 1 but remains a sparkplug with 16 playoff points. His ability to disrupt Edmonton’s rhythm will be key in Game 2.

Fan Frenzy and What’s Next

X was ablaze post-game. “Leon Draisaitl was the overtime hero!” @EdmontonOilers posted, while fans raved, “McDavid and Draisaitl are unstoppable!” Another user lamented, “Panthers blew it with that penalty. Bobrovsky deserved better.” The Oilers’ 24-8 shot advantage in the third and OT showed their desperation, but Florida’s 31-1 playoff record when leading after two periods under coach Paul Maurice fell to 31-1.

Game 2 looms on June 6 at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton, broadcast on TNT and truTV. The Oilers aim to keep their home-ice edge, while Florida’s road warriors—8-2 in the playoffs with a +27 goal differential—look to steal one. “We stick to our game,” Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues said, per NHL.com. “It doesn’t matter the score or the crowd.”

Edmonton’s depth, with 19 goal scorers this postseason, matches Florida’s, but the loss of Zach Hyman (111 hits, 4 high-danger goals) stings. Corey Perry, 40, has filled the gap with 7 goals, tying Draisaitl for the team lead. For Florida, additions like Brad Marchand (14 points) and Seth Jones (+9, 24:59 TOI) bolster their depth.

Can Edmonton Keep the Momentum?

The Oilers’ Game 1 win marks their first Stanley Cup Final series lead since 1990, per The Athletic. Their speed (498 bursts over 20 mph) and power play (30%) give them an edge, but Florida’s physicality (812 hits) and penalty kill (87.9%) make this a chess match. Stuart Skinner’s .944 save percentage since the first round rivals Bobrovsky’s brilliance, setting up a goaltending duel for the ages.

As the series shifts to Game 2, the question burns: Can McDavid and Draisaitl carry Edmonton to their first Cup since 1990, or will Florida’s gritty champs reclaim their throne? Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24.